Basel Keikis Good or Bad? - Orchid Board

Ranchnanny · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 07:23 PM

Late summer I noticed several of my Phals starting to grow Basel Keikis. These were also showing spikes and new leaf growth all at the same time. Since I have brought them out of the GH into the house and all are doing fine. Keikis continue to grow my question is are the mother plants dying? They don't look like they are stressed or declining. Maybe they got to much of a good thing in the GH all summer.

Any comments or info would be appreciated.

Thanks Sheridan

OrchidSue · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 07:29 PM

Basal keikis can appear for a number of reasons, from good to bad. Some plants are genetically prone to do this as part of the normal growing process. Plants that are also severely distressed can do this as a survival mechanism. If the plants are healthy, then I would suspect that this would be normal for them as part of their growing process and wouldn't worry about it.

Susan

Ranchnanny · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 08:08 PM

Thanks Susan I will keep a close eye to see if anything changes

Sheridan

peeweelovesbooks · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 08:11 PM

Thanks for posting this, Sheridan.

My phal has a basal keiki and one of its leaves has doubled in size in a month. I was beginning to worry also, but my phal is growing and is in spike. Thanks!

Gin · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 08:30 PM

I have 2 old very big Phals . they grow one every year both are very healthy I would not worry . Gin

Ranchnanny · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 08:58 PM

Well I will stop worrying until I see changes in the mother plant. Just got in the mail Phal. Baldans 'Geisha' Yellow Pink from e-bay 2 plants for $37.
They are in great shape and each had 2 spikes each last year.

Thanks Again
Sheridan

Undergrounder · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 04:36 PM

As already mentioned some Phals just do it because they're hybrids of species that do it as part of their normal thing.

I think it can be due to stress or change in culture/environment in some species as well but unless the main plant's looking dodgy i wouldn't worry.

When all the crowns bloom at once the effect can be spectacular:

(The first one.. Ho's Amy Christopher 'Hanano-En' has 500 something flowers on it)

Ranchnanny · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:39 PM

I have one Phal that has 2 keikis and is in bloom. The keikis are getting bigger and bigger.

Sheridan

RosieC · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:26 AM

Wow, those are some amazing flowers!